The Tetris Effect, a phenomenon first described by Jeffrey Goldsmith in his 1994 Wired article “This Is Your Brain on Tetris,” refers to how repeated exposure to a game can alter perception, dreams and thoughts. The rhythmic geometric repetition of Pentamino falling into a sequence becomes extremely addictive.
Finn Anderson, a CHS junior in the Lavelanet forum, has experienced this phenomenon through Block Blast, a Tetris-inspired mobile game where you place shapes next to each other with the goal of clearing both rows and columns. The mobile game has amassed 40 million players, including Anderson, who recently had a nightmare surrounding it.
“It was basically a Block Blast was a virus on your phone, and [the blocks] were infecting my phone with the virus,” Anderson said. He explained how, in the dream, the virus attempted to clear his phone in its entirety. Despite this all, Anderson continues to play regularly.
“It’s probably my favorite game at the moment,” Anderson said.
Block Blast’s popularity is undeniable amongst CHS students, many of whom play on the daily. CHS sophomore Justin Davis, who started last semester, claims to spend anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour at a time. While he enjoys it, he also recognizes the game’s addictive qualities.
“I’d probably recommend it,” Davis said. “But I’d warn people that it could get addicting.”
Meanwhile, Sabi Simwenyi, a CHS senior who boasts a high score of 26740, was drawn to Block Blast after seeing peers playing it. He describes the rush of beating a high score.
Though Simwenyi enjoys the challenge the game gives, he remains cautious about the game’s effect on dopamine and doesn’t plan to increase his screen time.
When asked for a rating of the game, Simwenyi gave it an 8/10, offering a solid endorsement. However, both Simwenyi and Davis expressed caution about the game’s addictive nature.
While games like Block Blast may seem harmless in nature, their presence in classes can be a significant distraction. According to Jessika Whiteside, a literature teacher at CHS, students playing games in class can lead to distractions and mixed signals for those around them.
“It sends a sort of mixed message to all the surrounding people,” Whiteside said. While some students may claim they can multitask while playing Block Blast, the presence of it can disrupt others in class.
“It might not be bothering the person who’s doing it, necessarily, but it also impacts the greater classroom,” Whiteside said. “The person next to you has no idea what the context is that you’re doing”
This lack of clarity can encourage distraction. Teachers also face the challenge of managing such distractions, which detracts from learning.
Whiteside also plays the game while listening to audiobooks by herself, aware that similar to the Tetris Effect’s positives of emotional regulation, that might be similar for Block Blast.
The rising popularity of Block Blast among students reflects its addictive nature, with many spending significant time on the game despite concerns about its impact. While some students enjoy the mental challenge it provides, they acknowledge the potential to distract and disrupt focus. As its presence continues to grow, it’s clear that its presence in school warrants caution.
